Lifting the Richmond railway line onto a viaduct near Riverstone would be “critical” in the future to improve its capacity as the locality grows, according to the area’s state MP.
Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly last week told the NSW Parliament the option would help solve traffic congestion confronting motorists using Garfield Road in and around Riverstone township itself, which he said was inhibiting growth in the region and causing stress for local residents and businesses.
“While the opportunity for duplication of the line north-west of Schofields remains some years away, given the enormous projects to which the government has committed already, I believe it is critical that we take that opportunity in future to lift the railway line in the vicinity of Riverstone township onto a viaduct,” he told Parliament last week.
“That will improve not only the capacity of the Richmond rail line but also the capacity of the road network to serve the area.
“For obvious safety reasons, any proposed upgrade of Garfield Road depends on removing the level crossing and replacing it with a grade-separated option.
“The decision has been delayed for years because of the difficulty in identifying the correct option - one that satisfies the needs of the community.
“I believe the correct option is rail over road - that is, lifting the railway line onto a viaduct.
“That delivers greater benefits on more fronts than any of the various road-over-rail options that have been proposed in the past.”
The recently-announced Western Sydney City Deal included a commitment to a north-south rail link connecting Badgerys Creek airport with the main western rail line near St Marys, as well as investigating the feasibility of a future connection from the St Marys area to Schofields, he said.
“I strongly support the possible St Marys-Schofields link as it would greatly benefit the residents of Riverstone and surrounding areas for whom access to employment, education and recreation would be greatly enhanced,” Mr Conolly said.
“When that time for decision comes on the duplication of the Richmond rail line, as it must surely come in the future, and when the time comes for the decision to replace the level crossing, and I suspect that is probably seven to eight years away, I would strongly urge the government to adopt the rail-over-road option, lift the rail onto a viaduct and score a big win for the whole Riverstone community,” he said.
Mr Conolly also recently hailed the opening of the Schofields Road Underpass as playing an important part in easing the congestion around the Garfield Road level crossing in Riverstone.
